| Author |
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Biged
| | Posted on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 4:54 pm: | 
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Heres a question I have been wondering for years. What does 73's mean?? Now, I am not a rookie to the cb radio but I have no idea what this means. I am pretty sure from context that it mean "gooday" or "have a good one" or something to that matter. But where did it come from? Who made it up?...Eddie |
Phoneman
| | Posted on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 8:11 pm: |
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The following is from Louise Ramsey Moreau, W3WRE:
"The traditional expression "73" goes right back to the beginning of the landline telegraph days. It is found in some of the earliest editions of the numerical codes, each with a different definition, but each with the same idea in mind - it indicated that the end, or signature, was coming up. But there are no data to prove that any of these were used.
"The first authentic use of 73 is in the publication The National Telegraphic Review and Operators' Guide, first published in April 1857. At that time, 73 meant "My love to you"! Succeeding issues of this publication continued to use this definition of the term. Curiously enough, some of the other numerals used then had the same definition as they have now, but within a short time, the use of 73 began to change.
"In the National Telegraph Convention, the numeral was changed from the Valentine-type sentiment to a vague sign of fraternalism. Here, 73 was a greeting, a friendly "word" between operators and it was so used on all wires.
"In 1859, the Western Union Company set up the standard "92 Code." A list of numerals from one to 92 was compiled to indicate a series of prepared phrases for use by the operators on the wires. Here, in the 92 Code, 73 changes from a fraternal sign to a very flowery "accept my compliments," which was in keeping with the florid language of that era.
"Over the years from 1859 to 1900, the many manuals of telegraphy show variations of this meaning. Dodge's The Telegraph Instructor shows it merely as "compliments." The Twentieth Century Manual of Railways and Commercial Telegraphy defines it two ways, one listing as "my compliments to you"; but in the glossary of abbreviations it is merely "compliments." Theodore A. Edison's Telegraphy Self-Taught shows a return of "accept my compliments." By 1908, however, a later edition of the Dodge Manual gives us today's definition of "best regards" with a backward look at the older meaning in another part of the work where it also lists it as "compliments."
"Best regards" has remained ever since as the "put-it-down-in-black-and-white" meaning of 73 but it has acquired overtones of much warmer meaning. Today, amateurs use it more in the manner that James Reid had intended that it be used - a "friendly word between operators." |
Grumpy8220
| | Posted on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 8:14 pm: |
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Eddie,
73's means hand shake and 88's means hugs! |
Bigbob
| | Posted on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 9:20 pm: |
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I love 88's,lol. |
Biged
| | Posted on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 10:11 pm: |
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Wow! Thats the best definition I have heard so far. Thats exactly what I wanted to know. I have had alot of people tell me thier version of what 73's meant but nobody was ever able to tell me where exactly it origionated. Thanks phoneman and grumpy. By the way, do you work for the phone Co. by chance? Just curious because I work for Verizon...Eddie |
BIG FOOT
| | Posted on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 12:01 pm: |
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...73 s means " best wishes " ...simple as that ..........BIG FOOT |
2ec837
| | Posted on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 7:54 pm: |
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I've heard DX stations signing with "73 & 51's" and I have recieved alot of DX QSL's with 51's on them.In twenty some years of operating on 11 meters I have never found anyone who could tell what this means or how it came to be.Does anyone know? |
Phoneman
| | Posted on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 11:43 pm: |
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biged,
I install pbx's. |
Taz
| | Posted on Sunday, June 09, 2002 - 12:24 am: |
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I heard it means peace. As in help keep the enviorment in good shape and take care of yourself. I agree with big foot. |
Metro
| | Posted on Sunday, June 09, 2002 - 11:01 am: |
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Hey Phoneman, I bet you're awesome at Jepordy!! What I would'nt give to have a beer with you and pick your brain!
Metro 446 |
RCI2990
| | Posted on Sunday, June 09, 2002 - 3:13 pm: |
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Phoneman.
That reply of yours was very interesting! More posts like this are needed! |
RCI2990
| | Posted on Sunday, June 09, 2002 - 3:13 pm: |
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Phoneman.
That reply of yours was very interesting! More posts like this are needed! |
bruce
| | Posted on Sunday, June 09, 2002 - 7:09 pm: |
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The corect use is 73 ( not 73's) meens best wishes now that can meen to a male or female and 88 meens love and kisses that is directed at a female. Phone man is correct with his history and railway telegraph use is a good part of how CW term's evolved and how we got then to use even today. But as time has gone on the use is now as i just stated but rarely is used corectly.
NEVER is it 73's or 88's and like "Q" signals is only use should be on CW but you know how far i'll get on that point.
bruce |
jake
| | Posted on Monday, June 10, 2002 - 4:48 pm: |
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Q Signals
1 – Wait
2 - Important business
3 - What is the time?
6 - I am ready
7 - Are you ready?
12 - Do you understand?
13 - I understand
14 - What is the weather?
17 - Lightning here
19 - Form 19 train order (used by RR)
21 - Stop to eat
23 - All copy
24 - Repeat this back
30 - No more, end
31 - Form 31 train order (used by RR)
44 - Answer promptly by wire
73 - Best regards
88 - Love and kisses
92 - Deliver promptly
134 - Who is at the key?
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Taz
| | Posted on Monday, June 10, 2002 - 5:42 pm: |
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what does 42 mean and how did that come into play? |
Bigbob
| | Posted on Monday, June 10, 2002 - 6:05 pm: |
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Yeah Bruce,why do some people say QSK(3 syllables)when they can say BREAK(1 syllable)are they nuts?When I talk I try to use as few syllables as possible and I got this one fella from florida that ends every transmission with"QSL?" SHEEES cut me some slack man. |
BIG FOOT
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 - 8:22 am: |
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....big bob calm down, you are just listening to a radio conversation.... listen to the folks that take longer to CLOSE a conversation, than the conversation was BEFORE they tried to say " bye "..... these folks will really make you LAUGH ....... ( example from sunday afternoon : well, I got to go, enjoyed the talk, hope you & your x y l are doing fine, happy fathers day coming up, and if I do not catch you before the fourth of july, happy fourth of july, and try to stay cool, 73 s , hear you fine on my "" antenna with my 2 month old galaxy 44, your rig sounds fine...got to go now, this is ______ out here on the east coast of Tennessee, reading the mail ".... long winded way of saying ( bye )...will have you rolling in the floor with laughter....dont ever tell these folks they got walked on and to say it part of it again, or MORE will be added..... ** having FUN with my radios ** big foot |
bruce
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 - 9:51 am: |
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Big Bob you RIGHT ! and you got to know ive heard it all the 73's the 88's the OSL !!!!!! o that drives me nuts too .. You know ill bet if we hooked up on the air I would not hear this is bigbob 10-4 qsl RST and QRU ! Nope more like HOW YOU DOING !! You hit it on the head on phone you dont need 10 codes or q codes EXCEPT when conditions are poor and it is a last resort to get your message across otherwise to me it comes over as taky...... QSL....... |
BIG FOOT
| | Posted on Saturday, June 15, 2002 - 6:30 pm: |
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...oh me oh my...heard a station on channel 26 this afternoon ( I timed him ) it took 3 minutes and 45 seconds to say good bye to another station, if not longer...did not get stop wtch started at beginning of his good bye speech... but it was hilarious...no insult toward any one, no anger, just me rolling in the floor laughing at these long-winded folks...thank you for the FREE entertainment...(lol) BIG FOOT |
bruce
| | Posted on Sunday, June 16, 2002 - 9:35 am: |
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I like the ones who say 26 dollar words on a 10 dollar radio..... bobasous salutes to all of them! |
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